Iranians mark their New Year with anger, fear, and defiance

Mar 25, 2026 · 929 words · By Fergal Keane

Fact-Check Results

“Iranians mark their New Year with anger, fear, and defiance”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive to confirm or refute claims about Iranian emotions during Nowruz

“Zahra is cleaning the windows of her flat for Nowruz”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive to verify Zahra's actions related to Nowruz preparations

“Zahra's children are restless and she cannot maintain contact due to internet restrictions”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive to assess internet restrictions impacting Zahra's contact with children

“10 people were arrested for 'co-operating with foreign media' and two others for 'creating psychological insecurity through cyberspace'”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive to verify arrest statistics or charges related to foreign media

“The BBC obtained testimony from Iranians describing a picture of anger, grief, and fear”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive to confirm BBC testimony about Iranians' emotional experiences

“Reported civilian deaths in the conflict approach 3,000”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive to verify civilian casualty figures from the conflict

“Zahra mentions the regime has caused 47 years of pain and loss”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive to confirm Zahra's statements about regime impact

“Samar describes regime supporters believing in a 'culture of martyrdom'”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive to verify Samar's claims about regime supporters' beliefs

“Samar claims the regime has multiple successors for each official”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive to assess claims about regime succession structures

“Ali lost a friend in an airstrike on an army base”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive to verify Ali's experience with airstrike casualties

“The Iranian regime maintains repressive power and military capability”

❓ PENDING

“Mandatory military service is enforced in Iran”

❓ PENDING